Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding metadata

Abstract

Provided are a meta data encoding/decoding method and apparatus. The meta data decoding method includes decoding a media signal containing a media object, and decoding meta data corresponding to the media object. During the decoding of the meta data signal, decoding of the meta data is skipped when the meta data that is to be decoded is identical to already decoded meta data.

1. A method of decoding meta data, comprising:
 receiving a stream in which a media signal packet containing a media object and meta data packet corresponding to the media object are mixed together; and 
 parsing from the stream, the media signal packet; 
 wherein the meta data packet is inserted into the stream in a predetermined cycle, and 
 the parsing from the stream comprises determining whether the predetermined cycle is identical to a previous cycle and parsing the meta data packet, if the predetermined cycle is not identical to the previous cycle. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parsing of the meta data packet is not performed if the predetermined cycle is identical to a previous cycle.